diff --git a/eo/src/utils/eoHowMany.h b/eo/src/utils/eoHowMany.h
index 917b41da..5a413a30 100644
--- a/eo/src/utils/eoHowMany.h
+++ b/eo/src/utils/eoHowMany.h
@@ -164,7 +164,7 @@ public:
       combien = int(rate);	   // and rate will not be used
 
     // minimal check
-    if ( rate <= 0.0 )
+    if ( rate < 0.0 )
       throw runtime_error("Negative rate read in eoHowMany::readFrom");
   }